Evaluation of phenotypic markers in full genome sequences of avian influenza isolates from California

We evaluated phenotypic markers in full-genome sequences of avian influenza isolates to identify avian strains with increased potential for transmission and pathogenicity in mammals. Of 149 markers examined, 67 were positive in the consensus sequences from 206 avian isolates. Analysis of deep sequencing data in a subset of 24 isolates revealed that 344 subpopulations occurred at marker positions. Markers in subpopulations were significantly more likely to be negative (258/344) than positive (86/344), but nearly all of the marker-positive subpopulations (78/86) were associated with marker-negative consensus sequences. Our analysis revealed significant variation in important markers among avian isolates, and showed that consensus sequences do not fully convey an isolate's potential for increased transmissibility and pathogenicity in mammals.     

论高校图书馆流通服务中的＂关键时刻＂管理

分析了高校图书馆流通服务和赢利性企业的共性,论述了高校图书馆流通服务管理应用“关键时刻”管理理论的可行性和必要性。提出了通过对高校图书馆流通服务中的一系列“关键时刻”的强化管理．提高流通服务质量,最大限度地满足读者需求的策略。     

Post-vaccinal distemper encephalitis in two Border Collie cross littermates

Abstract

CASE HISTORY: One 4.5-month-old male Border Collie cross presented with aggression and seizures in October 2006. A 16-month-old, female, spayed Border Collie cross presented with hypersalivation and a dropped jaw and rapidly became stuporous in September 2007. The dogs were littermates and developed acute neurological signs 5 and 27 days, respectively, after vaccination with different modified live vaccines containing canine distemper virus.

HISTOPATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS: Sections of brain in both dogs showed evidence of encephalitis mainly centred on the grey matter of brainstem nuclei, where there was extensive and intense parenchymal and perivascular infiltration of histiocytes and lymphocytes. Intra-nuclear and intra-cytoplasmic inclusions typical of distemper were plentiful and there was abundant labelling for canine distemper virus using immunohistochemistry.

DIAGNOSIS: Post-vaccinal canine distemper.

CLINCIAL RELEVANCE: Post-vaccinal canine distemper has mainly been attributed to virulent vaccine virus, but it may also occur in dogs whose immunologic nature makes them susceptible to disease induced by a modified-live vaccine virus that is safe and protective for most dogs.     

An intelligent control chart for monitoring of autocorrelated egg production process data based on a synergistic control strategy

Monitoring livestock production processes by means of statistical control charts can provide an important support for management. The non-stationary and autocorrelated characteristics of most data originating from such processes impede the direct introduction of these data into control charts. To deal with these characteristics Engineering Process Control strategies can be applied. Stationarity was achieved by modelling and subtracting the time dependent trend using a non-linear model. Next, the autocorrelation structure in the residual data is modelled and corrected for by means of an ARMA model. The resulting corrected stationary and independent residuals are then inserted in the traditional cusum control scheme. This combined use of Engineering Process Control strategies for modelling the unconventional statistical characteristics and Statistical Process Control strategies for constructing the control chart based on the resulting pre-processed data, is referred to as a Synergistic Control strategy. The developed cusum control chart was tested on data of two layer flocks. In both cases the control chart provided alarms for important problems in production and furthermore signalled problems that remained unnoticed by the layer managers. The amount of false alarms was acceptable. With this control scheme and the scheme of the average egg weight, control procedures for two important output parameters of the production process of consumption eggs are available. Furthermore, this strategy could provide a possible solution for other process parameters that also display non-stationarity and autocorrelation.     

Positive effects of sulphur fertilisation on grasslands yields and quality in Belgium

Atmospheric sulphur (S) depositions have been decreasing in Europe for the past 20 years. Up to now, there were no evidences of S deficiencies on cut grasslands in Belgium. The effects of S fertilisations together with incremental nitrogen (N) dressings were investigated in Belgium using small plot trials on cut grassland between 2001 and 2003. In 4 cases out of 13, S supply increased dry matter yields on average by 0.8 t ha⁻¹ y⁻¹. Response to S appeared to depend on the site, the year, the N fertilisation level and the soil. Grass S content was significantly increased and N:S ratio decreased by S fertilisation. High N:S ratio (>14) was observed in grasslands without S fertilisation even with a moderate N supply. It is concluded that S deficiency can be feared for cut grassland in Belgium mainly on light textured soils after a wet winter.     

Effect of biochar,clay substrate and manure application on water availability and tree-seedling performance in a sandy soil

In order to develop a method for extensive pomiculture on marginal soils in semiarid Brazil, a field experiment was conducted to study the impacts of the soil conditioners biochar, clay substrate and goat manure on soil physical parameters of a sandy soil and on seedling performance of Spondias tuberosa Arruda. Manure significantly increased total porosity, soil water content and reduced bulk density of the sandy soil. Water content at field capacity (θ_fc) and at permanent wilting point (θ_pwp) were increased due to manure application. Neither biochar nor clay substrate had a significant impact on the soil physical parameters. Biochar combined with clay substrate led to lower soil water content and significantly reduced the period of retaining atmospheric water. Due to a strong correlation (R² = 0.75) between θ_fc and θ_pwp, the available water capacity within all treatments remained unchanged. Amelioration and initial nutrient supplies had no effect on seedling survival and stem growth of S. tuberosa during the 23-month experiment. This underlines the nondomesticated character of the available plant material of S. tuberosa. The independence of the seedling performance of soil management makes S. tuberosa an interesting species for low-input orchards and for reforestation within the Caatinga.     

芽孢杆菌HSY-8-1对植物病原真菌的抑制及其抑菌产物特性

为挖掘用于生物防治的微生物资源,自海南蚕豆枯萎病区土壤分离1株芽孢杆菌HSY-8-1,经抗菌试验分析表明,其代谢产生的拮抗物质对引发植物立枯病和根腐病的立枯丝核菌(Rhizoctonia solani)和镰刀菌(Fusariumspp.)抑菌作用较强,具有使病菌菌丝扭曲、缢缩等致畸效应,并抑制立枯丝核菌的菌核形成。研究表明,在NB液体培养基中发酵时,进入稳定生长期后开始产生抑菌物质,72 h时累积达到最大值。这种抑菌物质的特性为外泌型、水溶性,可透过0.22μm的微孔滤膜,对热、酸、碱、蛋白酶水解、紫外线照射等影响有较强的稳定性。     

Spatial heterogeneity of soil properties and its mapping with apparent electrical conductivity

The site‐specific cultivation as part of the precision‐agriculture concept is more and more introduced into practical farming. However, soil information is often not available in a spatial resolution intrinsically needed for precision farming or other site‐specific soil use and management purposes. One approach to obtain spatially high‐resolution soil data is the non‐invasive measurement of the apparent electrical conductivity (EC_a). In this study, we recorded the EC_a on three fields with an EM38 (Geonics, Canada). The EC_a data were compared with (1) ground truth data obtained by conventional drilling, (2) traditional soil maps (large scale, ≤1:5,000), (3) the growth and yield of corn. The temporal variability of the EC_a due to varying soil moisture and temperature was taken into account by repeated measurements of the same fields and subsequent averaging of the EC_a values. Significant correlations (r² = 0.76) were found between the mean weighted clay content (0–1.5 m) and the EC_a. Furthermore, in soils with differently textured layers, EC_a was used to estimate the thickness of the uppermost loess layer. A comparison of EC_a and large‐scale soil maps reveals some pros and cons of EC_a measurements. The main advantages of EC_a recordings are the high spatial resolution in combination with low efforts. Yet, the EC_a signal is no direct measure for a soil type or unit. Depending on the variability of substrates and layering, the EC_a pattern can be a precise indicator for the spatial distribution of different soils. A strong conformity of the spatial variability of plant growth (derived from orthophotos and yield maps) and EC_a patterns within a field indicates that the EC_a signal per se—without conversion to traditional soil parameters—integrates the effects of various soil variables that govern soil fertility. Altogether, EC_a surveys can be a powerful tool to facilitate and improve conventional soil mapping.     

GIS‐based regionalization of soil profiles with Classification and Regression Trees (CART)

A map of soil texture profiles was derived from readily available spatial data in combination with information from soil profiles using CART (classification and regression trees). The primary purpose was to provide a regionalized predictor for the vertical hydraulic conductivity profiles to be used as an input variable to an evapo‐transpiration model. In contrast to former studies, the texture of 110 soil profiles taken in the 10 km² area was not averaged vertically but the profiles were grouped according to their hydraulic properties. Therefore, it was possible to include site specific profiles, e.g. with histic or argillic horizons. Despite of small sampling quantities (110 soil profiles grouped into 8 classes) a prediction probability of 60 to 70 % was achieved in most classes. The resulting map provides valuable information for the granulometric and hydrologic characterization of the study area.<?show $6#>     

缓释氮肥与尿素配施对高原机插籼稻产量与生长特性的影响

为了明确高原地区机插籼稻缓释氮肥与尿素配施的最佳比例,以川谷优7329为材料,在施氮量为150kg/hm~2和105 kg/hm~2水平下,研究了4种缓释氮肥与尿素配施比例(10∶0,7∶3,5∶5,3∶7)对机插籼稻产量与生长特性的影响。结果表明,不同施氮量间水稻产量差异不显著,缓释氮肥与尿素配施水稻产量由高到低为5∶510∶07∶33∶7。在相同比例下增加施氮量可以增加机插籼稻抽穗期高效叶片的长度,提高茎蘖数和抽穗期叶面积指数,但降低了氮肥农学利用效率和粒叶比。尿素所占比例越高成穗率越低,5∶5的处理水稻表观输出率和氮肥农学利用效率最高。高原地区机插籼稻最佳氮肥施用量为105 kg/hm~2,缓释氮肥与普通尿素配施比例为5∶5。